Updated - PN leadership vote on February 25
The PN leadership election will be held on February 25, the party's executive committee decided this evening.
The PN said voting will take place between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. in Malta and between 11 a.m.and 6 p.m. in Gozo. The result will be announced on the same day and if no second round is needed, the party leader will address the party council on February 26. Should a second round be needed, it will be held on March 3, with the speech on March 4.
Nominations will be received this Monday.
In comments this evening, Dr Gonzi said he was pleased that the process had been launched quickly.
The leadership contest was called by Dr Gonzi last Sunday during a meeting of the PN national council. He said he was assuming his responsibilities following criticism by MP Franco Debono, and he was therefore seeking a secret ballot in which anyone could be a candidate.
The winner has to achieve two-thirds of the votes in order to be declared elected in the first round, after which a simple majority would be sufficient.
The electoral commission will be chaired by former minister Michael Refalo, assisted by MEP David Casa, Dr. Anne Fenech (AZAD); Sonia Vancell (President MNPN) and Boris Xerri (PN treasurer).
PL: UNCERTAINTY FOR ANOTHER MONTH
The Labour Party said the PN's decision meant that the country was to experience at least another month of uncertainty.
The party said the prime minister needed to keep in mind that this election would not solve anything other than to keep him clinging to power while families and businesses were left in uncertainty.
Dr Gonzi needed to achieve his majority in parliament, not the party, the PL said.
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Henry Mifsud
Feb 4th, 10:41
timesofmalta.com Poll as at 4/2/2012 10:40 am
Do you expect the PN leadership contest to solve the political crisis?
Yes 33%
No 63%
Don't know 3%
Total number of votes: 15264
m. borg (slm)
Feb 4th, 10:36
It is rumoured that Dr Gonzi has increased his daily gym workout from 1 hour to 2 hours in preparation for the solo race.
It is also rumoured that he has gone a special fiber diet to shed off some weight but personnal advisers have councilled him to better shed off some of the ministers hindering his performance.
John Schembri
Feb 3rd, 22:20
After all that huffing and puffing which Franco did , when he said in no uncertain terms that ‘the few’ were leading the PN , I thought that Franco would be man enough to say that all the sms’s and phone calls were actually done by PL supporters disguised as PN ones. I think Franco was taken for a ride by the ‘hundreds’ of disgruntled Nationalists. If his claims were true he would have contested Gonzi and proof him wrong.
Gonzi’s challenge is to prove Franco’s assertions wrong.
mark borg
Feb 3rd, 22:16
Qed jinghadu hafna hmerijiet li Gonzi se jtellaq wahdu etc etc....Fil Fatt Gonzi mhux wahdu se jtellaq, Gonzi jidher persuna wahdu, pero fir realta awtomaticament ,huwa parti min klikka irraprezentata minnhu.Daqxejn kumplicata pero Franco spjegalna fid dettall .........
John Schembri
Feb 4th, 11:57
Nahseb li jekk Franco ma jidhirlux li Gonzi ghandu jiggverna u il-partit jivvota favur Gonzi , awtomatikament tigi li Franco ghandu jinzel mis-siggu parlamentari li qed jokkupa f’isem in-Nazzjonalisti.
Jekk jiddobba rikba , m’ghandux dritt jiddirotta lil kullhadd lejn fejn ried imur hu.
Joe Brincat-LL.D
Feb 3rd, 20:02
U-bet should organise something on this occasion. Any bets, please ?
Who would put money on any outsider ? And if there is none ?
Christina Pace
Feb 3rd, 16:13
This is like Ghaddafi's hold to power. The countrymen came out saying they denouced him as a leader and his regime stated there was no conflict and all is good in the country.
Dittaturi!
Schembri Ray
Feb 3rd, 21:59
We all know who had links with Ghaddafi in the past. We know how certain activities were held and who sponsored such activities. You better look at the picture before opening your mouth.
m. borg (slm)
Feb 4th, 10:38
We also know who had the last hug.
Martin Saliba
Feb 3rd, 16:03
Can someone please explain the requirments to make one eligable as a candidate. Will he / she still need 10 recomendations from party members ?
Lawrence Fenech
Feb 3rd, 13:24
Kemm hu sabieh tigri wahdek u tkun taf li ser terbah sgur, kwazi kwazi jista johodha bil mixi.
mark borg
Feb 3rd, 12:19
1 2 3 Go ! igri prim ghax jilhqek id dell tieghek stess fit tellieqa li se itellaq wahdek !
Stephen Portelli
Feb 3rd, 10:49
I think this procrastination in PN is bringing uncertainty in the Labour camp of whether the latter would ever be in government.
Alfred Galea
Feb 3rd, 10:46
Whatever we all say it is the Hon Franco Debono’s vote that is going to count. I think he wants to proof his thesis and may I humble suggest that he does this quickly for the sake of the country.
Joseph Portelli
Feb 3rd, 09:58
Imma dawn il-laburisti kull kif igergru!!! Ftakru f'Alfred Sant! F'Novembru 1997 kellu diversi astensjonijiet dwar il-budget. Il-vot finali tal-budget ghadda bil-casting vote tal-ispeaker! X'gara? Kollox baqa ghaddej normali sa Lulju 1998. La talab vot ta' fiducja, la mar quddiem id-delegati tieghu biex jikkonfermawh leader jew isibu lil xi hadd iehor! Xejn minn dan. Kulma ghamel kien li wara li stenna minn Novembru 1997 sa Lulju 1998 rabat il-mozzjoni tal-kottonera ma vot ta' fiducja (ghax ried hu).
X'hin tilef il-vot ta' fiducja fil-bidu ta' Lulju, dam sal-bidu ta' Awwissu biex sejjah elezzjoni!!!! X'differenza!!!
mark borg
Feb 4th, 08:44
Sitwazzjoni totalment divverenti u irrelevanti...Mintoff qatt ma hareg fil berah jghid li f'mozzjoni ta fiducja jivvota kontra il-gvern....jew Semma dak il-hmieg kollhu li Franco semma fuq il-PM ta illum GONZI !
Rigward it tgerger, ahjar trgergir mil- mibgheda u disobidjenza publica,kif kienu ordnaw il -pn matul 16 il-sena ta il-labour fil gvern.......ibzax daqt nergu nibdu nisimghukhom tgergru ...u dan mhux fil -bghod.
Mr Simon Camilleri
Feb 3rd, 09:12
With the poor predictions for the PN in the next election, one year away, you would have to be mad to go for leadership now. You would be tainted as the person who led the election loss.
d. attard
Feb 3rd, 09:05
What time wasting...in football that is called gamesmanship, in politics and governance that may be simply called disgusting. No national election so let us have a leadership election and pin the great leader's photo on front pages,
Joseph Borg
Feb 3rd, 09:38
I beg to differ. This is not time wasting rather gaining of precious time so that the election can be pushed to September or beyond. It is actually a very intelligent move.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Feb 3rd, 15:38
Mr Borg - yes very intelligent to keep Gonzi in power; in the meantime the country waits for the next move.
Anthony Pace
Feb 3rd, 09:03
No-one is interested in politics any longer. Just do the job and get on with it.
Twanny Scerri
Feb 3rd, 15:43
like
Paul Cassar
Feb 3rd, 09:01
I have been brought up being taught that.............COMMUNIST COUNTRIES HAVE ELECTIONS WITHIN THE PARTY WITH CHOSEN CANDIDATES.............now in 2012 we have a party where:
THERE IS NO VACANCY !!!!!
THERE ARE NO CONTESTANTS !!!!
AND A SOLE CANDIDATE.................communist style ??????????
and I'm being told to hail the winner .....................NOT I..........THANK YOU.
Christina Pace
Feb 3rd, 16:30
Hmm i would substitute cummunist with dictator.
In a communist state you do not find a great divide between the poor and the rich like we can observe in Malta right now. More jobs does not mean better standard of living. Standard of living comes with good wages, low cost of living and good affordable healthcare. Only a few boast good wages, everything seems to cost twice what it used to and a man just went to prison for stealing money to fund his wife's cancer treatment. Thos country sure ain't communist.
M Grima
Feb 3rd, 08:59
Paul Borg Olivier has been entrusted to organise a staged-up election for the non-existant vacancy of leader of the PN. Most proabably to add more spice to this never ending soap opera no one would contest Dr. Gonzi. This is how the PN is trying to alienate the country with cheap orchestrated gimmicks and than people like Franco Debono thinks that people should take him seriously. Come next election Paul Borg Olivier will probably be asked to organise the parking arrangements at the counting hall as the real action would be left to Austin, RCC and Joe Saliba. The opera really grips you to your seat and its free.
R Agius
Feb 3rd, 08:56
Kemm qed tahsbuwna injoranti lilna l-poplu ? Farsa wara l-ohra !!
Edward Curmi
Feb 3rd, 09:52
Forsi hekk FD jifhem li qieghed jiggieled battalja wahdu , u ma jibqax jghamel bsatten fir roti!!
mark borg
Feb 3rd, 08:54
At least the dictator has a sense of humour! What a farce! Good luck Dr Gonzi I am sure you would be the winner of your one man race ! come on kuragg prim ! For sure it would be your biggest win following your only one of a mere 15000 votes (Rigged election) and all your huge losses of all other elections you contested the past 8 years ...from EU parliamentary ones to local !
Following this farce you should seek a secret vote in election ..........bet minimum of 5/6 of your own people would be giving you a big nothing !
pat muscat
Feb 3rd, 08:51
Taparsi irrezzenja, taparsi ikkontestat,taparsi kulhadd ivvotalu, taparsi li d-dnubiet li ilhom jibku fuqhom- Dalli,Mugliet,JPO,Arrigo u Debono, inhafrulu: taparsi 'business as usual'! L-elezzjonijiet biss mhux taparsi u ghalhekk qed tahrab minnhom!
mark borg
Feb 3rd, 08:44
LOL...IL-HMAR LI SE JTELLAQ WAHDU ! nistennew u nitpaxxew ...ara kemm se jghajtu gonzi gonzi e l-erba tal marmalja li qed ikollu jigru warah dan l-ahhar !
Charles J. Buttigieg
Feb 3rd, 08:28
Henry Ford.”Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black.”
Laurence Gonzi. Any Gonzipn supporter can have any Leader they want so long as he is Gonzi.
Alfred Fenech
Feb 3rd, 08:58
Mi ckey Mouse Country. This is sickening. Only Gonzi is eligible for Gonzi's post as leader of
the PN. This man must be going crasy and must be anoying even the diehards of his party.
Somebody please vote against the leadership in this election to bring this drama to an end.
No wonder many Nationalists will not be voting this comming real election.
John L Galea
Feb 3rd, 08:26
It's a one-man comedy show!!!
Also Gonzi doesn't respect his own party's statute, then one asks, what respect has he for the country?
GOnziPN is just buying time, meanwhile the country's instability keeps on dragging.
George Azzopardi
Feb 3rd, 08:21
U hallina Dr.Gonzi, din bhal tal-parlament, meta kien jaf li kellu maggoranza, ghajjat vot ta sfiducja izda meta le qad seba mitt sena lura u hafna skuzi ghax ghal-gid tal-pajjiz. Jahasra hawn barra hawn poplu li jaf jaghmel 1+ 1 ta (fi kliemek stess issa). Dan jaf li hadd ma hi mignuin li jikkontestah u wisq izjed li ghandi maggoranza kbira ta deligati humma warajh!! X'hasibna dan, mzazen jew!!!
John Scerri
Feb 3rd, 08:18
- The secret vote and not show of hands is a very wise and move.
Dr. Gonzi wishes to verify whether all the party is backing him . He said this over and over again. They elected him as leader 8 years ago and he wishes to know if he still has their backing.
If there are no contenders then it will be easier for Dr.Gonzi to draw a conclusion .
Although Dr.Gonzi may obtain the majority of votes required according to the statute it could be that the percentage will not be enough for him to be satisfied that all the party is behind him..in which case he might resign from leader and leave the leadership to someone else by means of another election.
In my opinion on this issue the PN is on the right track .
As for what MLP said........ 'The Labour Party said the PN's decision meant that the country was to experience at least another month of uncertainty.'
What a cheek . have they absolutely forgotten the uncertainty during the period of discussion to change from VAT to CET and how long they took to determine what were the elcetricity bills during 1997/1998 . 22 months of uncertainty ...unemployment on the rise investment going down hill and a total disaster after all the promises made by Dr.Sant during is election campaign 'ic - cittadin ', and Co who are still there with Dr.Joe promising heaven on earth.
John L Galea
Feb 3rd, 08:46
1) "If there are no contenders then it will be easier for Dr.Gonzi to draw a conclusion." - Ohhh stating the obvious is very intelligent. Gonzi's conclusion will be "I am the one and only". Of course if you are the only contestant. What a ludicruous farce.
2) "Although Dr.Gonzi may obtain the majority of votes required according to the statute..." -You are mistaken here. Gonzi is going against the PN statute as he should have resigned and left the post of leader vacant.
3) "...with Dr.Joe promising heaven on earth." - a futile comment from someone who is wearing permanent blue blinkers. If you ever heard JM promising heaven on Earth, please start listing what.
John Scerri
Feb 3rd, 09:45
As things are going your blinkers are becoming blue as well dear John Galea. Look at the backgrounds and ties Dr.Joe is using .
As for the rest ...that is my opinion ..I have every right to my opinion and no one will ever remove my right to air my opinion ....
Up to now whatever I had predicited happened although many still would have expected Dr.Debono to vote with the MLP ...in favour of the motion.
Some even were surprised that Dr.Debono abstained . That's what brain washing does to people ...it makes them think and act as others want them to and not with their own mind.
wait and see.
A. MICALLEF
Feb 3rd, 08:17
Dottor Gonzi - FIL-PARLAMENT MHUX FIL-HEADQUARTERS TAL-PN. Zbaljat fil-post.
mark borg
Feb 3rd, 08:47
u bla speaker ghidlu wkoll !
George Azzopardi
Feb 3rd, 08:15
imma miskin Gonzi qed jagilhom ta!!!! Ara vera qed jaqa ghac-cajt wahda wara l-ohra!! Ghar min KMB qed issir! Ahjar jalaq halqu u ma jghid xghin!
Ramon Casha
Feb 3rd, 08:15
Polls indicate that he's going to come in last! :)
Robert Henry Bugeja
Feb 3rd, 08:02
Hela ta hin, hela ta rizorsi, hela ta flus. PN style.
No Vacancy. No contest. Just a re-confirmation of the same man. A big joke.
B Borg
Feb 3rd, 07:38
a secret ballot in which ANYONE could be a candidate.
I am tempted to give it a try, and run for the PN leadership…Is not that hard do a better job than the incumbent. Any support?
ALBERT FENECH
Feb 3rd, 07:35
The bull, full of pomp and circumstance, continues. This is nothing more than a farcical charade and it is particularly painful to see and hear supposedly intelligent people (like Dr Marthese Portelli for one), explaining the "reasons" for this vote and still managing to keep a straight face as she describes the "democratic process". The new thrust of GonziPN negativism is that of charging the PL with "arrogance" because Dr Muscat visited Hamrun and Dingli to view and appreciate projects. Has the GonziPN forgotten that every civic project is publicly financed and therefore belongs to the people and Dr Muscat has every right to carry out such visits. Under the GonziPN's contention, therefore the current Government is entirely and totally ARROGANT by trumpeting on about a free health system, children's allowances and so many other things because they were pioneered by the MLP and - more often than not - opposed by a then purely capitalist PN.
ALBERT FENECH
Mark Cassar
Feb 3rd, 07:35
mill-kummenti ta' certu nies ninduna li lanqas jekk iggibilhom l-ilma jizfen ma jaghlqu halqhom! Mela l-ewwel xbajna b'magic Joseph mohhu fl-elezzjoni, warajh iqum il-ONE li pappagalment jibqa' jirrepeti l-istess diska bhalu u jzid li l-bidla mhux fil-leadership tal-PN trid issir (ghalkemm xebghu jibbottjaw), u maghhom iqumu l-oraklu li jirrepetu ezatt dak li bellghulhom minghajr ma jafu ghala iridu haga jew ohra...
Wara li Gonzi ghamel dak li hafna talbuh xorta ssib min jara x'ha jikkritika!
halluna..u immaturaw! tintom mohhkom biss li l-PL ikun fil-POTER...mhux biex imexxi l-pajjiz ahjar (ghax ovjament ma jafx kif) imma biex minghalikom ha tiehdu xi haga...ANZI......fl-ahhar ammettejtu li hawn krizi ekonomika fid-dinja....ghax sa ftit ilu kien hawn krizi hawn Malta imma imkien iktar skond il-magic man!
Imma safrattant, bil-krizi li suppost qed taraw, u bil-faqar li qed toholmu bih, u bil-kontijiet li bqajtu teqirdu fuqhom, ghadek tohrog kull weekend u r-restaurants mifqughin nies, il-Maltin ghadhom isiefru, l-investituri ghadhom jinvestu, l-karozzi ghadhom jinxtraw, u t-turizmu xorta ghadu jikber....u ssib min ukoll li ghandu hin iwiegeb ghal dan il-kumment probabbli waqt il-hin tax-xoghol, jew jekk pensjonant fil-hin liberu tieghu li jista' jiddedikah ghal xi xoghol gdid li tieghu l-gvern xorta mhux ha jaqtaghlu l-pensjoni (li z-zieda qed jehodha SHIHA)!!
Ammettu li l-qaghda taghna mhux hazina.....ammettu li dak li jrid l-PL mhu xejn aktar hlief li jakkwista Kastilja u xejn aktar....
mark borg
Feb 3rd, 08:46
lanqas haqq kemm hlejt hin tikteb...kull ma missek ktibt hu li qed takkwista bhalissa u hekk jaqbillek int b'dan il prim ta bla maggoranza li jghix bil vot ta l-ispeaker !
Peter Zahra
Feb 3rd, 10:01
Naqbel mieghek 100 fil mija. Il poplu donnu qed jiehu 'for granted l standard of living' meta pajjizi hafna akbar minnha qedin fi stat ta falliment bhal Grecja, Italia u Spanja. Il lum is sitwazzjoni f Malta mhiex dik l qed jiprova ijpingi l partit tal labour. Minniex qieghed nghid li ma nistawx nkunu ahjar, pero trid dejjem tara is sitwazzjoni ingenerali. Minkejja dan id dizastru li joqghodu jghidu l hawn, mbghat tara li l Maltin mhux tali jgawdu f infiq ta hrug, safar etc imma anzi jirnexxilhom jgemmaw u jghinu l dawk fil bzonn. Ezempji ta dawn hi meta joghorgu applikazzjoni ta shares jew bonds u dawn jigu oversubscribed fl ewwel ftit hin li johorgu. Ezempji ohra huwa meta jingabru flus ghal karita bhal istrina u fundraising ghal partiti politici !!
Il poplu qieghed jigrilu bhal dik l istorja tal kelb li bl ghadma f hallqu u jkun irid l ghadma l ohra li tkun qed tirifletti fl ilma. Dan il kas dega ghada minnu l poplu u donnu ma taghlimx ghaliex meta kien hemm Alfred Sant kien wieghed hafna affarjiet sbieh qabel l ellezzjoni ta 96 bhal, li jnehhi l VAt, tmexxija trasparenti, moderna, good governance etc etc biex imbagh ghamel frattarija shiha. Joseph Muscat qed jghamel l istess billi jwieghed li jrahas il kontijiet ta dawl pero fl istess hin ma jghidx b kemm u anqas ma jghid il proposti tieghu meta jkun fil Gvern. Fattur important li l popli jrid jiftakkar hu li Joseph Muscat mdawwar b hafna nies li kienu fil gvern ta 80s u ta dawk is sentejn li ghamlu fil gvern m 96 sa 98... Imbghat jghidilna li ha jkollu l aqwa kabinett li Malta qatt rat !!!
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Feb 3rd, 15:42
"Ammettu li l-qaghda taghna mhux hazina" - imma tista' tkun hafna ahjar. Ahna mahniex kunteti bill-medjokrita.
Peter Murray
Feb 3rd, 07:34
Who cares who leads any party with only one seat majority in Parliament -as forthright and robust leadership of the country is what really matters, with this" leader"actually following the people with his Titanic -like seamanship dragging our ship into ice-floes largely created by him.
O. Grixti
Feb 3rd, 07:09
OK fair enough, but I have only one question.
Till 25 Feb, will there be any more parliament meetings and votes for new motions and laws?
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Feb 3rd, 15:43
Please for ward your question to the Nationalist Party - the Party now decides when Parliament can meet.
Wenzu Vella
Feb 3rd, 06:59
Miskina Malta issa mhux GAHAN wiehed ghandha imma 35. Tghid min minnhom se jgorr il bieb??
Lawrence Fenech
Feb 3rd, 06:57
Jekk Gonzi jiehu kas tal-poll li hemm bhal issa jiffranka salt hela ta' hin lil-kullhadd.
Lawrence Fenech
Feb 3rd, 06:50
What a joke, time wasting and leg pulling voting. Maybe Gonzi is awaiting a surprise that never comes.
Michel Bencini
Feb 3rd, 02:42
A vote of confidence should be sought in the House of Representatives not in a party convention!
Alan Grech
Feb 2nd, 23:54
For all I know, THEY ARE TAKING US ON A RIDE!!!
M Saliba
Feb 2nd, 23:27
Din it-tip ta' elezzjoni tfakkarni fit-taparsi elezzjonijiet li kienu jsiru fl-Afrika ta' fuq. Tidher li hi biss eżerċizzju ta' propoganda biex jikkonsolida l-istatus quo.
Kenneth Williams
Feb 2nd, 23:24
Ma nafx kif Dione ma staqsiehx lil prim kif ser jghamel elezzjoni minghajr ma hemm post vakanti...ihobb jistaqsi ghax ghandu vizzju jghamel il microphone ma halq hadd iehor tal partit oppost. Qed inhossni qed nara xi farsa tal Bronk Productions. U il pajjiz jistenna. Nista nghidlek li ma intom timpressjonaw lill HADD.
R. Gauci
Feb 2nd, 23:20
Rebhu 3 gimghat ohra, mbaghad l-elezzjonijiet tal-kunsilli lokali, l-Ghid u f'kemm ilni nghidlek wasal il-Sajf imbaghad f'ottubru naraw. Hekk jistmawh lill-poplu ta` GonziPN.
charlie cauchi
Feb 3rd, 09:06
habib fil fra temp ghandu il vot tal bugit, u jekk ma jaddix addio tijatrini li qed jaghmel.
Joe Grech
Feb 2nd, 23:18
What on earth is this election for? The Prime Minister is still there and hasn't resigned so what is he holding this election for? Self-justification perhaps?
Cut out the barefaced manoeuvres and address the real problems please. The Parliamentary situation requires settlement as people are just not taking decisions because of the uncertainty.
Can the P.M. and the P.N. put the interests of the country before their own? About time they reflect on this.
J. Mifsud
Feb 2nd, 22:56
What's the hurry?? Why not wait for a couple of more weeks. Then they can stop for an extended Easter holiday. After wich they will invent some other issue and stop for the summer holidays. Another issue and Christmas holidays once again. Then they can call an election. And lo and behold there is your 5 year mandate .
Thomas Mifsud
Feb 2nd, 22:44
Ejja ha tirbaha Gonzzzz.. Haqqek ghax tmexxi bilghaqal u b'serjeta. Partit li qed jiswa ta danni kbar ghal pajjizna, il-partit GonziPN.
A Cardona
Feb 2nd, 22:33
Good luck to the competitors. Its going to be a tough race.
Saviour Cachia
Feb 2nd, 22:08
Nominations will be received this Monday.
That means Monday only? One day for nominations, 19 days for any fool who will put down his nominations to do his campaign and on Feb. 25th, the election (sic!!!) day. Or rather Lawrence Gonzi will be confirmed leader of the Nationalist Party without a vacancy for this post seems ever to be created. Why had the NP or Gonzi declared that all he wanted was a vote of confidence from the General Council, after only getting it through the Speaker when Franco Debono abstained. And poor is the chap who dare not knee down to Gonzi order of absolute loyalty. Franco Debono note. Though I am confident Debono had already reached a pact of confidence with Gonzi. Who's Nationalist MP next to dare challenge Gonzi and the PN Government?
A Tonna
Feb 2nd, 21:46
Why not bring someone from abroad to contest Gonzi instead of a cuc Malti from the PN?
MALCOLM SEYCHELL
Feb 2nd, 21:44
Prosit Prim, Jaf tirbah la tkun wahdek.
GEORGE CUTAJAR
Feb 2nd, 21:14
What's the rush. After all the 'pratikkament prim ministru' is already opening projects 'prtaikament lesti' and 'pratikament' paid for by the central Government. The longer it takes the more projects he can inaugurate.
I cannot understand all this talk of uncertainty and instability when, if a change does happen the 'pratikament prim ministru' has promised it will be a seamless transition of power should Labour be eleccted. This was publicly stated by the PL leader a few weeks ago during a reception for foreign dignitaries. On the basis of that declaration alone I fail to see why one should worry.
R. Gauci
Feb 2nd, 21:13
PN Leadership vote on February 25 ! List of candidates:
1)Gonzi Lawrence
2)Gonzi Lawrence
3)Gonzi Lawrence
4)Gonzi Lawrence
5)Gonzi Lawrence
6)Gonzi Lawrence
7)Gonzi Lawrence
8)Gonzi Lawrence
9)Gonzi Lawrence
10)Gonzi Lawrence
What a joke !!!
James Tyrrell
Feb 2nd, 21:12
So more tax payers money being wasted. That seems to be the only thing the present Government are good at! How can you have a leadership election for a position that is occupied? I guess Gonzi just wants to prove what a lot of people know already, that he's an idiot.
S. Caruana
Feb 2nd, 20:48
Avviz: Biex il-partit Nazzjonalista jhajjar lil minn jixtieq jikontesta l-leader attwali Dr.Gonzi qed jinforma, li kull min se jikontesta l-Leader se jinghata minature tal-monument li hemm Hal-Luqa. Jixtiequ jarfu wkoll li lil dak il-persuna li jissotometi l-ewwel applikazzjoni se jinaghatalu tad-deheb.
lilly vella
Feb 2nd, 20:45
jigifieri ???? din bis serjeta??? tahsbu li l pn se jaqa daqsekk cheap li hadd ma jikkontesta mal world leader no,no,no,.
C. Sammut
Feb 2nd, 20:43
Nahseb ikollna nistennew sa meta jmiss elezzjoni sena ohra biex jithabbar ir-rizultat!
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Feb 2nd, 20:28
Comedy capers.
Joseph Brincat
Feb 2nd, 20:25
I WONDER WAY !!!!
IT IS AMAZING THAT THEY HAVE NO ONE TO CONTEST GONZI PN !!!!!!.
OR BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO BE PART OF THE > GREAT MESS <
GONZI PN MADE THE > PN < ???????????
Mr Mike Farrugia
Feb 2nd, 20:19
Ara trid tkun bahnan bil-Pedigree biex jigik f' rashek tikkontesta l-Gonzi issa!!!! Farsa li ma ha taghmel l-ebda differenza kif ha jivvota Debono fil-Parlament wara l-konferma "majestuza" li se juru d-delegati lejn Gonzi.
Joseph Galea
Feb 2nd, 20:19
Il-Karnival ha jigi ccelebrat fuq gimghatejn dis-sena! lol
G. Ellul
Feb 2nd, 20:17
Fejn hu id-Dipartiment tal-Kompetizzjoni?!
Dan mhux monopolju?!!
DAVID D. PACE
Feb 2nd, 20:16
veru tad-dahk dr.Gonzi!!!! ara ma tigulix thabbu l-bieb ghall-vot Gonzi pn ghax tiddisappuntaw irwiekom...messkom tisthu.
joe muscat
Feb 2nd, 20:15
PN leadership vote on February 25...mela din is-sena il-karnival se jkun itwal
Angus Black
Feb 2nd, 20:33
Mhux twil daqs il-karnival tal-kuntest bejn Joseph Muscat u George Abela.
Wilfred Camilleri
Feb 2nd, 22:54
Iva. Muscat ser ikun ir-Re tal-Karnival! lol
Justin Gerald Saliba
Feb 3rd, 04:55
taf meta kien il Karnival..... lura fil 2003.. meta sant qall li mux se johrog ghall leder tal partit laburista umbat kien hareg !!
mario scerri
Feb 3rd, 08:10
Gonzipn ihobb jaghlel l-affarjiet doppji. Paga doppja w anki karnival doppju.
Alistair Busuttil
Feb 3rd, 08:26
u il-maskaruni f idejn gonzi
John L Galea
Feb 3rd, 08:37
@Angus Steak & Wilfred: Imma ghadkom ma ndunajtux li hadd mhu se jikkontesta lill-world leader? Mela kif dahhaltu lil JM u lil GA? pffff...min jista' jikkontesta The King of Kings of Carnival and Jokers alias GOnziPN. Din is-sena bdejna b'karnivalata minn Gonzi PN u milli jidher se ntawwlu l-karnival ghal aktar xhur.
Victor Vella
Feb 2nd, 19:55
Could somebody explain what is happening on this island? According to Para 25 of the PN statute states that there must be a vacancy to hold an election for PN leadership. If Gonzi has not resigned, therefore no vacancies exist, how can such an election be held? If Gonzi will be the only person contesting such a contest, why wasting time in such nonsense matters? Gonzi will be again the leader of the PN. I do not understand why Gonzi has said many words that did not make sense and now he is dragging his feet in the sense that this year Malta is going to face many social decisions that are going to affect the destiny of this nation and we are losing precious time. Even in the Euro zone there are serious problems that have to be resolved. There is no time for such internal litigation. Contrary to the 1996-98 political crisis , Malta did not have the same serious problems that we now have. One cannot justify what happened in the past while putting the nation in great uncertainties that will affect the national financial and economic future of the nation.
Gordon Grech
Feb 2nd, 20:14
U ejja Sur Vella. Ma nistennijiex minnek. Ma tafx li il-manifest huwa ''Kollox Possibli'' hehee! Imbaghd jekk nikkwota il-kelma li qal Dr F.Debono ....<Klikka>!! X tahseb! Ghandi Ragun?
Joseph Borg
Feb 2nd, 20:21
Well said Victor.
Imma Gonzi lanqas l-istatut tal partit ma jaf.
An election is called only when a post is vacant.
Victor Vella
Feb 2nd, 21:01
Sur Grech x`qal Gonzi u x`qal Debono Malta kollha taf. Anzi Debono qal allegazzjonijiet serji anzi serji hafna li qatt ma gew imcahhda mill-partit nazzjonalista. Debono ta lill-hafna jifhmu li Malta hija mmexxija `a Mafia type of governance` Li kieku jien kont flok Gonzi kont nitlob lill-Debono jissostanzja dak li qal. Fuq hekk biss il-partit nazzjonalista tilef kull kredibilita`.Jista` jaghmel kemm irrid ellezjonijiet f`tal-Pieta`. Dak li qal Gonzi bil-hafna sentenzi bombastici kienu biss `to gain a marketing image`. Illum qed jiffacja ir-realta`. Realta` iebsa ta` firda interna fi hdan il-partit tieghu u problemi finanzjarai u politici serji anzi serji hafna. Min veru jhobb il-pajjizu jara l-interess tal-pajjiz mhux tal-partit.Il-partit huwa biss ta` individwi li qeghdin ippapuwa tajjeb u l-istat huwa ta` Malta kollha. Din mhux problema ta` Gonzi bhala leader tal-PN izda wkoll tal-LP. Jekk ha nibqghu sejrin hekk il-partit kollhox u qabel l-interessi ta` Malta jigrielna bhlal-Italjja u Malta tkun immexxijja minn teknokratici u mhux politici.
Angus Black
Feb 2nd, 21:10
There is nothing in the Statute preventing an incumbent from seeking an endorsement by the delegates especially when 'someone' raises doubts about the extent of the leader's backing by the delegates of the party.
We are talking here of a Party which operates in a most democratic fashion and does not change statutes, or make an executive position obsolete and later seek the 'yes' vote of the Party delegates just to satisfy the leader's ego.
The NP expects Dr Gonzi to continue to be its leader and Prime Minister to the end of this mandate and beyond if he so chooses. One errant MP on the government's side has no authority to change what hundreds of delegates and thousands of supporters want. That person in particular has to put it through his head that he is one against the will of almost two hundred thousand. If through his crucial vote in Parliament he decides to topple the government by betraying his Party and vote with his arch enemy, then the NP will, with no hesitation face the electorate on its record of successes and not on a vague promise of reducing the W&E bills some ten euro a year, while raising taxes and tariffs like it did in 1996-97, Sur Vella!
Donna Parnis
Feb 3rd, 00:43
He makes his own rules, just goes to show hes holding on the the chair with super glue, He also does not know his own statute. But I bet if it was someone else doing the same thing he would soon be shouting about it. He has always got a fall back
job as a comedian if he wants it I suppose.
Joe Busuttil
Feb 2nd, 19:47
Joke of the year. Hope no taxpayers' money will be involved for this farce and waste of time.
C Galea
Feb 2nd, 22:39
Hopefully it will be only PN money going down the drain
John Schembri
Feb 2nd, 19:43
Jien nahseb li Gonzi qed imur iktar milli bsarna, mhux talli qed jitlob vot ta' kunfidenza mill-partit imma talli stieden lil kullhadd biex jekk irid jiehu postu...u jappoggjah inkondizzjonalment.
George Azzopardi
Feb 3rd, 08:20
U hallina John, din bhal tal-parlament, meta kien jaf li kellu maggoranza, ghajjat vot ta sfiducja izda meta le qad seba mitt sena lura u hafna skuzi ghax ghal-gid tal-pajjiz. Jahasra hawn barra hawn poplu li jaf jaghmel 1+ 1 ta (fi kliemek stess issa). Dan jaf li hadd ma hi mignuin li jikkontestah u wisq izjed li ghandi maggoranza kbira ta deligati humma warajh!! X'hasibna dan, mzazen jew!!!
Jay Aquilina
Feb 2nd, 19:41
qed tara kemm huma hfief jahasra diga qalu meta il farsa se tkun
M. Bezzina
Feb 2nd, 19:28
Farsa ohra din!!!!!!!!!!!
A Camilleri
Feb 2nd, 19:34
Forsi tithajjar tohrog mela Sur Bezzina?
mark borg
Feb 2nd, 20:43
@A.Camilleri
Jien ma nafux lis sur Bezzina pero probabilment ikun hafna ahjar min dan is suppost Prim Ministru ta bla maggoranza parlamentari, li issa se jtellaq wahdu,biex ikompli aktar ikun miss il-qiegh u jdahhaq il-pajjiz........
lilly vella
Feb 2nd, 20:45
omm il fares propjament.
A. MICALLEF
Feb 3rd, 07:53
A. CAMILLERI - Int ghadhek ma indunajtx li din hija farsa ta one man STAND UP COMEDIAN.
LI huwa zgur li A. Camilleri mhux kapaci jifhem illi hadd ma huwa permess li jiehu parti
fdin it-tip ta farsa.
Tommy Vella
Feb 3rd, 08:21
@ A. Micallef
Mela qed titfixkel il-PN mal-PL? Dawk kollox reġimentat, ħlief għad-darba li fetillu jagħmel li ried il-kap ta' qabel.
Victor Calleja
Feb 2nd, 19:25
Nothing new
Andrew Camilleri
Feb 2nd, 19:22
Ti piace vincere facile! Hallina Prim uri ftit serjeta ma partit pls.
VINCENT WILLIAMS
Feb 2nd, 19:16
A sound advice to the PN's councillors. Do not vote for Dr Lawrence Gonzi even if he will be the only contestant. For the PN it will be better to be run without a Leader than with Gonzi Partit Negattiv. There is the vice Leader ready for the job.
joe muscat
Feb 2nd, 19:14
Baqa` il-leader tal-Partit u qieghed jistenna li xi hadd jikkontestah , veru li taht Gonzi kollox possibli